Colossians 2:6-7 – A Journey of Faith

• • Life is compared to a walk in the Bible.
  • We’re instructed to walk in wisdom, love, light, obedience, and in the Spirit.
  • Emphasis on not walking through life alone, finding community in the Body of Christ.

Three Reasons to Walk with Others:

• • Safety: Life is safer when we walk with others.
  • Support: Running together in life ensures endurance and prevents burnout.
  • Wisdom: Learning and correction are more likely when walking with others.

Ephesians 4:16 – The Importance of Community

• • The body of Christ grows and thrives when each part does its special work.
  • Other people help us grow into the person God intended us to be.

Emotional Maturity and Love

• • Bible knowledge and spiritual gifts are insufficient without emotional maturity.
  • Jesus emphasized loving God and others; emotional maturity is key to fulfilling this command.
  • Galatians 5:6 underscores that faith works through love.

Discipleship Course on Emotional Maturity

• • Maturing emotionally is crucial but often neglected.
  • Advancements in technology contribute to a decline in emotional health.
  • This series aims to guide from brokenness to wholeness.

Key Areas for Emotional Maturity:

• • Defensiveness
  • Low Self-Awareness
  • Isolation
  • Blaming

VS 

• • Wholeness
  • High Self-Awareness
  • Approachability
  • Taking Responsibility
  • Delight
  • Encouragement

Community Temperature Reading (CTR)

• Introduces the concept of improving the temperature between individuals.
• Shares five categories in relationships.

1. Appreciations:

• • Expressing gratitude keeps relationships strong.
  • Positive impact on relationships and individuals.
  • Culturally significant; our brains are designed to receive appreciations. 

2. Handling Misunderstandings: Puzzled, Not Angry

• • Jumping to negative conclusions is human nature.
  • Using “I’m puzzled” instead of anger fosters understanding.
  • Encourages a loving approach instead of judgment.

3. Complaints with Possible Solutions:

• • Complaints are normal but should be constructive.
  • “I notice, I prefer” approach fosters teamwork and positive change.

4. Sharing New Information:

• • Transparency and sharing updates are crucial for healthy relationships.
  • Failure to communicate can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.

 5. Hopes and Dreams:

• • Sharing aspirations deepens family and community bonds.
  • Listening to each other’s hopes and dreams enriches relationships.

Application:

• • Regularly practice CTR and express appreciations.
  • Approach misunderstandings with a puzzled and loving mindset.
  • Share new information transparently.
  • Foster a culture of sharing hopes and dreams within the community.
  • Remember the importance of emotional maturity in walking together in love.

Conclusion:

• • Emotional maturity is a vital aspect of Christian growth and love.
  • Walking together in love requires intentional effort and openness.
  • Let us commit to this discipleship course and grow into the fullness of emotional maturity as we journey together in faith.